Residential Aged Care fees vary depending on an individual’s assets and income. RSL Care SA offers a number of accommodation options across all facilities, from platinum single rooms with private ensuits to share rooms with an ensuite. Accommodation fees vary depending on the accommodation type.

To ensure prospective residents with low assets and income are not disadvantaged from being offered permanent placement, accredited aged care facilities must reserve a percentage of their beds for ‘low means’ residents.

Asset and Income Assessment and Thresholds

Residents who are eligible to receive subsidised aged care fees are required to submit an Asset and Income Assessment to the Department of Human Services (Centrelink). Please see below for current asset and income threshold levels and the applicable fees:

Fees and charges explained

BASIC DAILY CARE FEE

The Basic Daily Care Fee (BDCF) is paid by everyone. It is set by the Commonwealth Government and is approximately 85% of the single Aged Pension. The BDCF covers all living expenses and contributes to the costs of other services such as meals, personal care, recreation activities, laundry, cleaning and nursing care

Current daily rate $50.16

MEANS TESTED CARE FEE

The Means Tested Care Fee (MTCF) is paid by residents who exceed the government’s first assets and income threshold. As the BDCF does not cover 100% of the costs incurred by an aged care facility in providing its services, residents who are deemed to have the financial means are required to contribute more towards the cost of their own care. The MTCF varies depending on the asset and income level of the resident.

ACCOMMODATION CONTRIBUTION

The Accommodation Contribution is paid by Low Means residents only. It is reviewed quarterly and is subject to change; however a resident will not be required to pay more than what is advised from their asset and income testing. The facility has restrictions on how much it may charge based on its Low Means resident ratio and whether or not the facility is newly refurbished. The Accommodation Contribution may be paid as a lump sun equivalent, known as a Refundable Accommodation Contribution, which is 100% refundable.

Current maximum daily rate $56.14

ACCOMMODATION PAYMENT

The Accommodation Payment is paid by financial residents only. The price is set by the facility in accordance with government provisions and is nonnegotiable. RSL Care SA offers a range of accommodation prices:

The RAD option means paying the accommodation payment to the facility as a lump sum. RAD payments are 100% refundable and government guaranteed. RAD payments are invested securely by RSL Care SA and the interest received is used to cover accommodation costs.

2. Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)

A DAP is when the accommodation payment is paid on a periodic basis (monthly). It is calculated as a daily payment by applying the government’s maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) to the Accommodation Payment.

Current MPIR = 5.96%

3. Combination of both RAD and DAP

It is possible to combine the RAD and DAP payment options. The DAP will be calculated on the unpaid portion of the RAD. It is also possible for the DAP to be withdrawn from the RAD payment.

What Is Right For Me?

Moving into residential aged care is an important life decision and each person is coming from their own unique circumstances. For this reason, RSL Care SA is unable to give financial advice or provide specific guidance as to which option may be right for you. We strongly encourage you to seek independent financial advice to ensure you choose the right option for your circumstances.

Please contact our Admissions Team on 8379 2600 for more information, or to book a private tour of our aged care facilities.

To place your name on our residential aged care waiting list, please complete our Application Form

Volunteers of RSL Care SA

RSL Care SA is privileged to have a wonderful, rapidly growing database of passionate volunteers. All of our volunteers are highly valued and seen as a vital part of our organisation. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we are able to offer a range of versatile activities and services that enrich the lives of our residents.

To demonstrate just how important volunteers are to our organisation, we will be posting regular interviews with our volunteers showing exactly what it is they do and why.

SANDRA PAVIA

Sandra Pavia is our Volunteer Coordinator and has been working at RSL Care SA for over 12 months. Working closely with the residents, Sandra has been able to tailor volunteer services to suit their various needs. Having a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator has seen our volunteer database double over the last year! We currently have 34 active volunteers, and of course we are always looking for more! See Sandra’s interview below:

What sorts of activities do volunteers do with our residents?

Volunteers participate in a range of different activities with our residents, such as; companionship and social support; assistance on outings or shopping; driving the bus for resident outings; beauty therapy services such as manicures; organising or assisting with participation in activities; Pastoral care and faith support; assistance with wellbeing initiatives and providing pet therapy engagement with residents to list a few

We also have volunteers who provide support in areas such as the kitchen, garden and maintenance.

Volunteers with the right qualifications are also able to go into specialised areas such as Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL), which is our program for younger veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Why do you think volunteers are so valued at RSL Care SA?

We value our volunteers because we recognise the critical role they play in supporting and enhancing the lives of our residents and hope that they gain as much enjoyment from their volunteering as our residents do. Volunteers also support the organisation in fulfilling its mission and vision.

What benefits do you see to the resident’s from having volunteers visit regularly?

Volunteers are able to focus on the resident’s individual needs at the time of their visit, spend quality time with them, nurture friendships, sit and listen, embrace natural reminiscing and support residents social connections.

How do you become a volunteer at RSL Care SA?

To volunteer at RSL Care SA all you need to have is a desire to contribute to the enhancement of our residents lives, an ability to commit as little as one hour per week, and undertake the necessary approval processes required to work in Aged Care.

GEORGIE ORCHARD

It’s so wonderful when children and young people have a heart for the elderly and a desire to give up their time to help others. We accept volunteers of all ages, especially if they are as sweet as Georgie! Watch her interview below.

BETH COTTON

What made you decide to become a volunteer?

I thoroughly enjoy being in the company of older people. I love chatting with them and listening to their stories. I always come away from my visits feeling very blessed!

What is your role as a Volunteer at RSL Care SA?

I buddy a resident who has severe memory loss, helping out as needed. It is a privilege to help someone who is vulnerable, even if it’s just providing some extra company or offering a listening ear. I also attend the ‘chair exercise’ group and assist the residents throughout the class, which I thoroughly enjoy.

What is your favourite thing about volunteering?

I enjoy spending my time with people who have lived amazing lives. The residents all have stories to tell and listening to what they have to say adds colour to my life. There is an old saying “as we refresh or bless others we are ourselves refreshed”, and I couldn’t agree with this more!

ANNE MILLER

Anne is our wonderful Art Facilitator. Watch her interview below!

SUSAN KUKESTE

How long have you been volunteering at RSL Care SA?

I have been volunteering at RSL Care Myrtle Bank since March 2016 so just over 2 years.

What made you decide to become a volunteer?

After finishing full time employment I still needed to work. I have been involved in and contributing to community throughout my life. Growing up in the country that was a given. In my early years I was involved with Nursing Mothers Association of Australia as a counsellor and group leader. Once my children were at school I became involved in school life – supporting student needs, fundraising and pastoral care support to parents. I volunteered with Teen Challenge for several years and have continued with voluntary work through group work and pastoral care associated with my church life. The opportunity to volunteer at Myrtle Bank and work with the Chaplain and Lifestyle in Pastoral Care Support was a good fit. So here I am.

What activities do you do with the residents?

Most of my time and involvement is visiting with the residents offering a listening ear, friendship, general chit chat, and conversation, wherever that might take us. At times I join in with planned activities. A very important part of my week is supporting the weekly Sunday Church Service. Assisting residents to get there and return home, leading services and giving a message are all part of what I do- who I am.

What is your favourite thing about volunteering?

Following the loss of my mother in 2015 I reflected on the shortcomings of life for the aging in our society, particularly people becoming more isolated and people in care. I hoped to make a difference and contribute in a way that would count and be meaningful for individuals. Having studied and trained as a Chaplain I hoped to utilize this in whatever I took on in the future.

As a pastoral care person I talk with and get to know people. Some people are happy with a brief ‘how are you, hope you are well’. Others like to share their stories and have someone take interest in their lives and develop relationships with them. I have the privilege of hearing incredible stories, beautiful stories and in so doing one can only recognise and marvel at the resilience and courage and beauty of so many. Everyone has stories to tell.

We all need to tell those stories and learn of one another – that’s how we grow, that’s how community happens. I am enriched and challenged by the privilege of sharing in the residents’ life journeys.

JIM RICHARDSON

Jim has been volunteering at the War Veterans Home in Myrtle Bank for about nine months and is a wonderful addition to our Veterans Support Group. Watch his interview below!

If you wish to enquire further about volunteer opportunities, please contact Sandra Pavia on 8379 2600. Sandra will be happy to schedule a time to meet with you and discuss your areas of interest.

Did you know that RSL Care SA reserves 40% of permanent residential aged care accommodation for residents with low means?

Residential Aged Care fees vary depending on an individual’s assets and income. To ensure prospective residents with low assets and income are not disadvantaged from being offered permanent placement, accredited aged care facilities must reserve a percentage of their beds for ‘low means’ residents. At RSL Care SA we aim to keep our low means resident ratio at 40%, giving special preference to veterans and their families.

There are two different asset levels a resident can fall under to qualify as low means:

Asset Free Threshold

Currently set at $47,500, residents with assets under this threshold will be required to pay a;

Basic Daily Care Fee

First Asset Threshold

Currently set at $162,815.20, residents with assets under this threshold will be required to pay;

Basic Daily Care Fee

Accommodation Contribution

The Basic Daily Care Fee

This fee is set by the Commonwealth Government and is approximately 85% of the single Aged Pension. The Basic Daily Care Fee covers all living expenses and contributes to the costs of other services such as meals, personal care, recreation activities, laundry, cleaning and nursing care.

Accommodation Contribution

This fee varies depending on the resident’s asset level. It is reviewed quarterly and is subject to change. At both the War Veterans Home and RSL Villas, as at 20 September 2017, the maximum a resident can be asked to pay for an Accommodation Contribution is $36.13 per day.

All rooms at RSL Care SA facilities are single rooms with private ensuite. Please contact our Admissions Coordinator for more information, or to book a private tour.

To place your name on our residential aged care waiting list, please complete our Application Form

Myrtle Bank Retirement Living

Residents Beth and Peter

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Beth and Peter. They purchased a villa with RSL Care SA to enjoy the convenience of a maintenance free lifestyle. They moved to the Myrtle Bank Retirement Village from Felixstow to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

It wasn’t a quick process. Peter was always open to the idea of a retirement village, but Beth had spent most of her career in the retirement industry and wasn’t as sold on the idea.

Beth and Peter had to ask the question, “what do we do now?” They found themselves with time, a large 5 bedroom family home, and the inconvenience of being North Adelaide while their family was in the Inner South Eastern suburbs. It’s a common scenario, but sometimes people are less inclined to make the move and transition to a Retirement Village.

As you watch the video, Beth and Peter encourage others in similar scenarios to make the move when you can. Don’t make the move when you have to. Circumstances that force a move from the family home take their toll on families and finances adding pressure that could have been avoided with planning and quicker action.

Beth and Peter thoroughly enjoy their villa at Myrtle Bank. It has enough room for the grandchildren, street frontage and a yard for their beautiful dog. They take daily walks to the local doggy park where they have met local neighbours and made lasting friendships.

Enjoy the Uncut Interview.

Would you like to know more, simply fill out the form to your right.

You can view more information about RSL Care SA Retirement villages below.

Immanuel College Art Program 2017

RSL Care SAs War Veterans Home was very pleased to welcome 48 Immanuel College year 8 students as part of their Art program for 2017. The students will be creating sculptural pieces based on the theme of ‘coming home’ from war and how that how that experience has affected veterans and/or their families.

RSL Care SA CEO, Nathan Klinge spoke to the students about the experiences of many veterans who have ‘walked the halls’ of the War Veterans Home over the past 100 years. The students were then shown around the site, highlighting to them the many pieces of military memorabilia and artifacts displayed throughout the Home.

We look forward to seeing how the year 8 students interpret the ‘Coming Home’ theme and the creative sculptural pieces they create.

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About us

RSL Care SA believes that the ex-service community deserves the best care and affordable accommodation. RSL Care SA is an independently constituted not for profit organisation with links to the Returned & Services League of Australia (SA Branch).

Our mission is to support veterans and their dependents, although the ex-service community are our primary client group it is not exclusively so. The facilities and services are also available to the broader community.